Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism is a condition that affects the normal development of the brain’s communication and social skills. It is a developmental disorder that occurs in the first 3 years of life.

Causes:

Autism is a physical disorder associated to abnormal biology and chemistry within the brain. The exact causes for such abnormalities still remain unknown, but it is an extremely active area of research. There is perhaps a combination of factors that lead to this condition.

Genetic factors seem to be the most important. For instance, identical twins are a lot more likely to have autism as compared to fraternal twins or siblings. In the same way, language abnormalities are more common in the relatives of children with autism. Even chromosomal abnormalities as well as other neurological (nervous system) problems are a lot more common in families with autism.

There a number of other probable causes, which are suspected but not been proven as yet. These include:

Diet

Vaccine sensitivity

Mercury poisoning

MDigestive tract changes

MBody’s inability to appropriately use minerals and vitamins

The exact number of children suffering from autism is not known. It is still not clear whether this is because of an increasing rate of the illnesses or perhaps an increased ability to diagnose the condition. As compared to girls, Autism affects boys 3 to 4 times more. Factors like education, family income and lifestyle don’t seem to affect the risk of autism. Some parents have heard that the MMR vaccine that children receive may be the cause for autism. This theory is based in parts and on 2 facts. Firstly, the incidence of autism has steadily increased around the same time since the MMR vaccine was introduced. Secondly, children with regressive form of autism (type of autism that develops after some time of normal development) tend to start showing symptoms around the time when the MMR vaccine is administered. This is quite likely a coincidence due to the children’s ages at the time of receiving this vaccine. A lot of major studies have found absolutely NO connection between Autism and the vaccine. The American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention report that there isn’t any proven link in between autism and the MMR vaccine or any other vaccination. Some physicians believe that the increased incidence in autism is because of newer definitions of autism. Today, the term “Autism” includes a much wider spectrum of children. For instance, today, a child who is diagnosed with high-functioning autism may have been thought to simply be strange or odd 30 years ago. Some of the Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders Comprise of:

Rett syndrome (quite different from autism, and occurs only in females).

Asperger syndrome (similar to Autism, but with normal language development).

Mercury poisoning

Pervasive developmental disorder, also called atypical autism.

Childhood disintegrative disorder (a rare disorder wherein a child learns skills, but then loses them by the age of 10).

Symptoms: Most parents of children with Autism suspect that something is wrong by the time their child is 18 months old and seek help by the time the child turns 2. Children with autism usually face difficulties with:

Verbal and nonverbal communication

Social interactions

Pretend play

Some children suffering from Autism appear normal before the age of 1 or 2 and suddenly “regress” and start to lose the language and social skills they had gained previously. This is known as the regressive type of autism.Patients with Autism may:

Have unusual distress whenever routines are changed.

Be overly sensitive in touch, sight, hearing, taste or smell. For instance, they might refuse to wear “itchy” clothes and get distressed when they are forced to wear the clothes.

Perform repetitive body movements.

Illustrate unusual attachment to objects.

The symptoms could vary from moderate to severe.Communication problems might include:

Does not point to direct other people’s attention to an object (this occurs in the first 14 months of life)

Constantly repeats words or memorized passages like commercials, etc.

Uses ridiculous (nonsense) rhyming.

Social Interactions:

Does not make friends

Withdraws from social activities

Does not get involve in interactive games

Might not respond to smiles or eye contact, or might avoid eye contact

Prefers spending time alone, instead of with others

Might treat others like they are objects

Shows lack of empathy

Response to Sensory Information:

Has overly sensitive or low senses of sight, touch, smell, hearing, or taste

May not startle at loud sounds or noises

Might find normal noises painful and cover his/her ears

May withdraw from physical contact as it is overwhelming or over stimulating

Rubs surfaces, touches with mouth or licks objects

Has an increased or low response to pain

Play:

Does not imitate actions of others

Prefers to involve in solitary or ritualistic games

Shows very little pretend or creative play

Behavior:

Shows intense tantrums

Is often stuck on a single task or topic (perseveration)

Has very narrow interests

Has a very short attention span

Uses repetitive body movements

Is very passive or overactive

Shows aggression

Displays a strong need for sameness

Tests and Exams:

All children must have routine developmental exams conducted by their pediatrician. Further testing might be needed in case the doctor or parents are concerned. This is particularly needed if the child fails to meet any of the mentioned language objectives:

Babbling by 12 months

Gesturing (waving bye-bye, pointing) by 12 months

Saying single words by 16 months

Saying 2 word spontaneous phrases by 24 months (not just echoing)

Losing language or social skills at any age

These children may receive a blood lead test, hearing evaluation, and screening test for autism like Checklist for Autism in Toddlers or Autism Screening Questionnaire. Generally, a healthcare professional experienced in diagnosing and treating autism is needed to make the actual diagnosis. An evaluation of autism often includes a complete physical as well as neurological (nervous system) examination. It can also include a specific screening tool, such as:

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)

Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R)

Gilliam Autism Rating Scale

Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)

Pervasive Developmental Disorders Screening Test – Stage 3

Children with suspected or known autism will often have genetic testing (searching for chromosome abnormalities) and metabolic testing. Autism comprises a wide spectrum of symptoms. Hence, a single, brief evaluation is unable to predict the true abilities of a child. Ideally, a team of specialists will evaluate the child. They may evaluate:

Language

Communication

Speech

Thinking abilities

Motor skills

Success at school

Sometimes people are unwilling to have a child diagnosed due to concerns regarding labeling the child. However, without proper diagnosis the child might not get the required treatment and services.

Details

DIET: Some children suffering with autism seem to respond well to a casein-free or gluten-free diet. Gluten can be found in foods such as wheat, barley and rye. Casein is found in cheese, milk as well as other dairy products. However, not all experts agree with the idea that dietary changes would make a difference, and not every study of this method has shown positive results. In case you are considering dietary changes, speak with a registered dietitian and a doctor who specializes in the digestive system (gastroenterologist). You need to be sure that the child is receiving sufficient nutrients, calories and a balanced diet.OTHER APPROACHES: You should be cautious of the widely publicized treatment options for autism that don’t have scientific support, and reports of “miracle cures” which don’t live up to their expectations. In case your child is suffering from autism, it would be helpful to consult autism specialists and other parents of children with autism. Keep a track of the progress of research in this field that is developing rapidly. At one time, there used to be an enormous excitement about using secretin infusions. However, after several studies that have been conducted in many laboratories, it is reported that secretin is not effective after all. Nevertheless, the research still continues.Outlook (Prognosis) Autism continues to be a challenging disorder for children and their families. However, the outlook today is far better than it used to be a generation ago. Earlier, majority of the people suffering autism were kept in institutions. Today, most of the symptoms of autism can be improved with the right therapy. However, most people will have some symptoms all through their lives. Most patients with autism can live with their families and in the community. This depends upon the severity of the condition as well as the level of therapy a person receives.Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) Mentioned below is a broad outline for eligibility, inclusion and exclusion criteria. However, any exceptions to these guidelines must also be considered. The final decision for selection for the prescribed Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) for any patient will depend entirely upon the project director, on a case to case basis. On the basis of preference, we recommend the use of umbilical cord and cord blood derived cells, as well as amniotic and placental Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) over autologous Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) that are derived from sources such as bone marrow, peripheral blood, adipose tissue, skin, small intestine, liver, and cornea (limbus). However, the end decision is taken only after a comprehensive study and deliberation of a patient’s medical history. Therefore, the choice of Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells), their dosage, source as well as exact route of administration is pragmatically decided on a case to case basis. Prior to therapy, administration of GM-CSF is also advocated simply to mobilize the autologous Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) from the patient’s bone marrow and make them act synergistically with the transfused cells. The project director will also advocate relevant supportive therapies, which include:Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy is performed by administrating hyperbaric Oxygen in a specialized Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber. This therapy is used for:

Treating De-compression sickness or air embolism.

Increasing partial oxygen pressure in the damaged tissues of the body.

Enhancing the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.

Chelation Therapy: Chelation therapy is used for removing toxic heavy metals, such as arsenic, mercury, lead, iron (including cases of thalassemia), plutonium, uranium as well as other forms of toxic metal poisoning. The chelating agent can be administered orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly, depending upon the agent as well as the type of metal poisoning. Various chelating agents are available and each has a different affinity for different metals. Some common chelating agents are mentioned below:

Aminophenoxyethane-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA)

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA)

Deferiprone

Deferasirox

Deferoxamine

Dimercaprol (BAL)

Diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)

Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)

Dimercapto-propane sulfonate (DMPS)

D-penicillamine

Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid

Ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA)

The project director will suggest the use of Hyperbaric oxygen as well as Chelation therapy prior to the Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells). The main reason behind this recommendation is to ensure that the infused Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) are better accepted and engrafted into the damaged tissue or organ and swiftly begin its repair. As a result, the benefits of Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) can be greatly optimized. However, this too is determined by the project director on a case to case basis.Eligibility:

Age: 3 years to 12 years.

Sex: Any

Ethnicity: Any

Race: Any

Inclusion Criteria:

Diagnosed with an ASD, without a cause being detected.

Anticonvulsants used for treating a seizure disorder will be permitted only if the dosage has been stable for last 3 months, and the patient is free of seizure for at least three months.

Parents should agree not to use dietary supplements in case their children are selected. They should also agree not to use any dietary supplements all through the clinical study. They should only use the supplements provided by the research study.

Exclusion Criteria:

The focus of intervention is not compromised of social or language content (medical intervention).

Studies without the possibility of robust pre as well as post test measures.

The patient has had an anticonvulsant dosage change in the past three months, or a seizure in the past three months.

The child has an abnormal karyotype (rearrangement or fragile X syndrome).

A significant medical disorder, such as hypertension, heart disease, renal or liver failure, diabetes, pulmonary disease, or unstable seizure disorder that has been diagnosed through history, physical examination and laboratory tests.

Is presently on or has previously used a statin medication within the past 3 months.

How It Works

Basic Overview: There are certain basic principles that need to be followed prior to the Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) infusion (particularly in case of frozen Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells)). These include: First, the frozen Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) need to be thawed in warm water at 37 degrees Celsius, through constant agitation. The Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) must not be exposed to bright light during the time of thawing. The Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) then need to be collected in a syringe, which is ideally covered with a tape in order to prevent exposure to direct light. This is done by using a wide bore needle to avoid any kind of damage to the fragile Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells). The infusion needs to be given over a period of 3 to 5 minutes, in dim light, using a 23-gauge needle. Look out for any instant transfusion reactions. Dose and Mode of Administering Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells): The dosage for Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) varies on a case to case basis. It ranges from 30 to 100 million Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) in order to generate positive results. Even a dosage of one million Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) can be adequate to produce positive results. We advocate intravenous administration in majority of the cases. However, in specific cases and disorders we also recommend subcutaneous, intra-arterial, intrathecal, intramusclular, sub-dural, sub-arachnoid, intraocular or even direct on-site delivery of Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells). The Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) are administered on the exact site of injury, either through direct implantantation (injection) on-site or using special interventional techniques. The final decision with regards to the dose as well as mode of administration of Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) is taken after a through deliberation, the depending cause as well as extent of the concerned ailment. This decision must be taken on a case to case basis.

Treatment Details

Allogenic Umbilical Cord Derived Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells):

Every dose of umbilical Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) must be preceded by GM-CSF, a day prior to the Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) infusion. This is done in a dosage of 5 microgram / kg body weight in an adult and 2.5 microgram / kg body weight in children).

Mode of Administration of GM-CSF:

Subcutaneous (an injection under the skin)

Intravenous, IV (an infusion into the vein)

Side Effects of GM-CSF:

Points to keep in mind regarding GM-CSF

Most patients do not experience all of the mentioned side effects.

The side effects are mostly reversible and will subside on completion of treatment.

Often, these side effects are predictable in terms of their onset as well as duration.

There are quite a few alternatives to help minimize and even prevent side effects from occurring.

There is no connection between the presence or severity of the side effects and the effectiveness of the

medications.

Common Side Effects of GM-CSF:

With the initial dose of GM-CSF, the patient might experience low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, lightheadedness or flushing. This is known as the “first-dose effect” and usually does not to occur with future doses.

Weakness and fatigue

Diarrhea

Local reaction on the injection site (redness, swelling, and tenderness)

Points to note in case the Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) are Derived from the Umbilical Cord Lining and Cord Blood:

The CD 34+ cells are cells that are similar to hematopoetic cells that carry CD 34+ markers derived from cord blood, after isolation, by using magnetic beads or cell sorting techniques. The Mesenchymal Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) mentioned in the present discussion are cells similar to total nucleated cells that are derived from the cord lining and procured subsequent to exhaustive processing. Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) Dosage:

Around 32 to 80 million Mesenchymal Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) plus 10 to 40 million CD 34 + cells over a one year period.

Duration: 8 to 20 million Mesenchymal Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) plus 2.5 to 10 million CD 34+ cells over a 3 month period. This is concurrently with GCSF 1 day prior to the Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells).

Approximately, a dose of 100 to 200 million Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) is required to produce adequately favorable results.

A variety of progenitor cell populations, which include hematopoietic, mesenchymal, trophoblastic as well as more primitive Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) can be isolated from the placenta and amniotic fluid. At least some of the placental and amniotic cells share a common origin, such as the inner cell mass of the morula. As a matter of fact, most of the types of progenitor cells, which can be isolated from these 2 sources, share several characteristics. The amniotic fluid and placenta contain multiple types of progenitor cell from the developing embryo which includes bone, fat and muscle.

Placenta and Amniotic Sac:

Following simultaneous harvesting of blood cells from the umbilical cord (UCB), placenta tissue (UPT) and placenta blood (UPB) for their content of nucleated cells, the results illustrated that the nuclear cells (NC) from the UPB and UPT have 3 to 4 times more cells as compared to only the umbilical cord blood. Cells from the UPT (Placental tissue) and UPB (Placental Blood) have more of an ability to survive in comparison to the cells from UCB (Cord Blood), over a long-term cell culture condition.

These cells that are stored in liquid nitrogen did not show a large loss of total nucleated cells and CD34 (+) cells. Also, it was noticed that the UPB and UPT contained more suppressor lymphocytes, which could prove important in the prevention of graft-versus-host disease. These types of implications state the importance of placental blood as well as tissue collection, and their processing along with umbilical cord blood for the transplantation of Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells).

Amniotic Fluid:

The Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) from amniotic fluid are used to differentiate into muscle, cartilage, adipose tissue, blood vessel, nerve, bone, etc. These cells offer an important resource for the repair of cell, tissue or organ.

The Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) that are derived from the amniotic fluid are referred to as AFS cells (Amniotic Fluid Derived Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells)). However, there could be an intermediate stage in between the embryonic Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) and adult cells. The cells are capable of extensive self-renewal, which is a significant property of Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells). The cells can even be used to generate a broad range of cells, which can prove very valuable for therapy.

The AFS cells can be obtained from abundant supplies of amniotic fluid, using the many procedures that examine cells for prenatal diagnosis of certain genetic disorders. The procedure is referred to as amniocentesis. Even childbirth is considered as a source of amniotic fluid. The chances of a perfect match are also possible due to its primitive nature.

AFS Cells Offer Several Advantages:

They can be easily obtained through amniocentesis.

Since they double every 36 hours, it is possible to grow them in large quantities for producing large quantities of Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells).

No ‘Feeders’ or ‘Factors’ are needed to guide them towards the desired cell line.

The cells do not cause tumors and therefore preferred over embryonic Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells)

Specialized cells that are produced from AFS cells include all three types of cells, which exist in the developing embryo – ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm. For this reason, these Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) can possibly differentiate into any organ, tissue or cell in the body.

Like embryonic Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells), even AFS cells have the potential to generate every type of adult cell.

The project director will also advocate the use of Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) from the placenta, amniotic sac and amniotic fluid. These cells are cautiously processed, isolated and then cultured in a clean room, using GLP and GMP standards. They may be used for allogenic or autologous use, similar to Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) that are isolated from the cord blood and cord tissue, sometimes concurrently with Hyperbaric oxygen and / or Chelation therapy, following prior administration of GM- CSF. The selection of Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells), its source, dosage, route and mode of administration, as well as accompanying concurrent therapy can differ on a case to case basis.

The Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) are derived by using a procedure known as “apheresis”.

This procedure is carried out in an ambient location with the help of a well programmed cell separator (Hemonitics or Kobe Spectra) that provides the desired Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells). Around 200 to 250 ml Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) are collected from the blood stream in a specifically designed blood bag.

Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) from any of these organs are derived using sophisticated techniques for their isolation. This is done in an OT, under general anesthesia.

The Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) are then processed and isolated using GLP and GMP standards.

The final amount of 5 to 10 ml is administered intravenously within 6 to 8 hours from collection.

These Regenerative Tissue Therapy (cells) cannot be tested for bacterial contamination and therefore an antibiotic cover is required prior to infusion.

Mode of Administration: Intravenous.

Possible Complications Related to Autism:

Autism can be linked with other disorders that affect the brain. These include:

Mental retardation

Tuberous sclerosis

Fragile X syndrome

Some patients with autism will even develop seizures.

Besides the patient himself, the stress of having to deal with Autism can result in social as well as emotional complications for patient’s family and caregivers.

When to Contact a Medical Practitioner

Parents of children with Autism generally suspect that there is a developmental problem much before the diagnosis is made. Consult your healthcare professional with any concerns regarding autism or in case you feel that your child is not growing normally.

Alternative Names:

Pervasive developmental disorder – Autism

FAQS

What are the Benefits of Regenerative Tissue Therapy Therapy? Regenerative tissue therapy, also known as Stem Cell Therapy,helps in the repair,healing and regeneration of damaged or injured tissues. It regeneratestissues that are injured due to meniscal tears, rotator cuff tears, ligament tears, tennis elbow and degenerative diseases such as arthritis and osteoarthritis. It reduces pain caused due to injury and improves performance. The treatment is performed in theoffice, under local anesthesia. This eliminates any risks associated with anesthesiaor surgery.How do I know Whether this Therapy is Good for Me? For this, you should consult your doctor if you suffer from any degenerative diseaseor have any type of joint pain. Regenerative Tissue Therapyallows the patient’s body to use it’s own cells for healingand repairing damaged tissue.Are there any Ethical Issues involved with Adult Cells? Not at all. Adult Regenerative tissue cells are not embryosand donot have the potential to develop into a human being. They reside within the bone marrow as well as the fatlayers,and exist in large quantities.Does the Therapy Involve any Side Effects? Regenerative Tissue therapy is an extremely safe procedure. Following a complete medical evaluation, our specialists determine whether you are theright candidate for this treatmentor not. A few patients might experience some pain and soreness during the post-operative period. Since fat and autologous blood is used, there are minimal chances of an allergic reaction.What’s the Difference between Cells from Bone Marrowand Fat? Both bone marrow and adipose cells belong to a type of adult cell calledMesenchymal Cells. Bone marrow derived cells are collected from the hipboneand adipose cells are collected through a mini liposuction procedure. The bone marrow cells possess a superior ability to repair as well as differentiate into ligaments, bone and cartilage.Adipose cellson the other hand have regenerative properties to produce new blood vessels, a process which is important for the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the tissues.How do I know Whether the Cells are injected in the Right Place? We know that the success of any treatment depends upon a reliable delivery system. We put to use a simple injection in and out method, in order to deliver the cells. Also, our injections are all done under X-Ray (fluoroscopy) to visualize the site of injury as well as provide effective and accurate treatment.What is PRP and why is it used along with Regenerative Tissue Therapy? PRP is blood plasma which containsa high autologous concentration of cells known as platelets. These cells release growth factors as well as other proteins which promote healing of wounds in bone and soft tissues. When PRPis injected, the high concentration of platelets delivers a powerful dose of growth factors that helps to accelerate and enhance the repair and healingof tissues. In addition, these growth factors attract regenerative cells to the injury site. While injecting PRP, more than 1injection is recommended in order to maximize results.How is PRP Derived? PRP is obtained using a safe and simple blood draw. For collection, special collection tubes are used and approximately 16 cc of blood is obtained. The collected blood is centrifuged using special equipment until the PRP is obtained. Following this process,PRP is ready to be injected or mixed along with fat for aesthetic enhancement.Is there any Special Procedure to prepare for when undergoing PRP or Regenerative Tissue Therapy? Prior to treatment, patients are encouragedto undergo a simple detox in order to prepare the body to be better conditioned for receiving the regenerative cells. Patients mustcease smoking and alcohol consumption at least 1 week before the procedure. An IV Vitamin Therapyis recommendedto clean the system oftoxinsand simultaneously infuse vitamins as well as minerals in the bloodstream. The vitamins are required by some cells to perform important functions. Possessing a good balance of such vitamins will improve the effectsof the treatment.When can I Resume Work and Routine Activities? The treatment is ambulatory. Generally, patients are sore during the first couple of days after the injection. They can resume work after 2 to 3 days, depending upon the site of treatment as well as the levelof physical activity required from patientsat their respective jobs.Is the treatment approved by the FDA? There is no clear protocol to treat any disease using adult cells in the U.S. With advancements in science and more research, the laws and regulations in the field of regenerative medicine have been changing quite rapidly. Even though the therapyis not regulated by the FDA, we ensue that we follow the standard regulations for patients’safety as well as safe laboratory practices.

PRECAUTION

Consulting

Before doing any treatment please consult your doctor to confirm if the treatment is the right one for you

*Disclaimer: Laser, Radio Frequency, Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Treatment Results Can Vary Significantly Between Patients, Risks, Potential Complications and Permanent Scars are going to be an inevitable part of any Surgical Procedure. BEFORE & AFTER photos are NOT guarantees that your results will be the same or even similar: each individual patient’s results will be different. Patient-care ethics of excellence still cannot guarantee results or a lack of complications. Complications, risks and scarring are inherent with surgical procedures. Our Surgeons & Dermatologist are also devoted to helping patients have REALISTIC expectations about what surgery or procedure can — and cannot — accomplish.